“I happen to think that America’s best days are ahead of us,” Romney, who is being considered as a possible nominee to be Trump’s secretary of state, told reporters afterward. “I think you’re going to see America continue to lead the world in this century.”

He praised Trump’s victory speech after winning the election and his appointments, including South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley for U.N. ambassador and Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., for attorney general.

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“All of those things combined gives me increasing hope that President-elect Trump is the very man who can lead us to that better future,” Romney said.

The meeting took place at the Jean-Georges restaurant inside Trump Tower. Romney and Trump were applauded by patrons as they entered the room.

Romney had been one of Trump’s harshest critics during the Republican presidential primaries. He hasn’t apologized for criticizing Trump, but Tuesday night noted the real estate mogul succeeded where he had not.

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“By the way, it’s not easy winning. I know that myself. He did something I tried to do and was unsuccessful in,” Romney said. “He won the general election and he continues with a message of inclusion and bringing people together, and his vision is something which obviously connected with the American people in a very powerful way.”

Romney was light about the specifics of his conversation with Trump.

“These discussions I’ve had with him have been enlightening and interesting and engaging,” he told reporters, later adding that they discussed “affairs throughout the world.”